“Complicated” by Avril Lavigne is a pop anthem that explores the confusion and frustration of dealing with people who aren’t authentic. It’s an open letter to those who feel the need to put on airs, with Avril advocating for honesty and authenticity instead.
In the opening lines, “Uh-huh, life’s like this / Uh-huh, uh-huh, that’s the way it is”, Lavigne establishes the song as a commentary on life and the complexities that come with it. It’s a casual start, setting a conversation about life’s uncertainties and the inevitability of dealing with complex personalities. She then dives right into the critique, questioning why someone feels the need to present themselves differently to different groups of people.
In the verses, Avril observes this person’s actions, stating “Somebody else ’round everyone else / You’re watching your back like you can’t relax / You’re trying to be cool / You look like a fool to me”. This straightforward commentary underscores her irritation with the person’s fake persona. The word ‘cool’ is used to signify a societal ideal that many strive to attain – often inauthentically.
The chorus strikes at the heart of “Complicated,” as Lavigne belts out “Why do you have to go and make things so complicated?”. This line acts as the crux of her frustration, confronting someone who is ‘trying too hard’, affecting relationships and causing unnecessary confusion. The words ‘complicated’ and ‘frustrated’ accentuate the intense emotional stress Avril feels dealing with this person’s lack of authenticity.
The line, “You fall, and you crawl, and you break / And you take what you get, and you turn it into / Honesty and promise me I’m never gonna find you fake it” can be viewed as a call to resilience and integrity. Avril doesn’t shy away from the hardships of life, instead, she emphasizes turning those experiences into an opportunity for honesty – a strong element of personal growth.
Throughout the song, Avril Lavigne urges the listener to cast off fake personas and instead embrace their authentic selves. “Complicated” captures the zeitgeist of the early 2000s, voicing the universal yearning for
